AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Question:
I have found a version of Akira manga in color! Issue 10 only though. I have not found more since. I like to know a bit more on the reason for this. If it’s to make it more attractive to America or something? It says in the copyright section it’s a collaboration between Epic Comics and Kodansha from 1993. Does that mean that it was published in Japan in color too then? And also do you know of any other series done like this?

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The staff of AnimeNation wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season.

FUNimation has officially confirmed that Dragonball Z movie 5: Cooler’s Revenge will premier on American home video on January 22nd. The film will be released on unedited DVD & VHS at $24.95 and $19.95, and on edited DVD & VHS at $19.95 and $14.95 respectively. The VHS version (but not DVD) will include 3 exclusive Cooler cards for the Dragonball Z CCG not available anywhere else.

The movie release will coincide with the release of the DBZ Movie Collection Action Figures from IF Labs and a new Burger King Dragonball Z “character giveaway” promotion scheduled to begin on January 28th.

The fifth Dragonball Z movie is vaguely TV continuity related as it features Freezer’s older brother Cooler coming to earth to seek revenge on Son Goku for killing Freezer.

Bandai will release its third Space Cruiser Yamato strategy RPG, Space Battleship Yamato: Recollection of Iskandar, on December 20th. This game will be the first in the series created for the PS2. The space combat elements will now be fully 3D but the characters and adventure elements of the game will remain 2D and CG.

Source: The Magic Box

Jessica Alba (Dark Angel TV series), Seann William Scott (Evolution, Jay and Silent Bob) and James King have signed on to co-star with Chow Yun Fat in Bulletproof Monk.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

Question:
What is a cram school? I hear about it in anime like Love Hina.

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Bandai has opened an official website for the American release of the Escaflowne movie at www.Escamovie.com. The site provides information on the film, an early theatrical release schedule, and a streaming trailer. Apparently, although new release anime films like Metropolis will be released theatrically in America next year subtitled, the American theatrical release of Escaflowne will be dubbed, hopefully not with the incorrect translation of “tsubasa no kami” (goddess of wings) heard in the trailer as “wind goddess.”

Source: Anime on DVD

The long delayed fourth subtitled DVD disc of Card Captor Sakura from Pioneer Entertainment is now scheduled for release on January 15th. As promised, it will include a “bonus gift” to make up for the delay. The Pioneer website has announced that the first 10,000 units will include a free mini-pencil board in addition to the standard bonus postcard.

Article courtesy of Scott Green

According to the Gaming Intelligence Agency, Sony is currently working on two new Arc the Lad RPGs. Scheduled for release next year, Arc the Lad: Kijin Fukkatsu for the Wonderswan Color takes place 3 years after Arc the Lad III, and stars Elk from Arc the Lad II. A second, currently untitled Arc game is also in the works for release next year on the Playstation 2.

Article courtesy of Scott Green

Wired Magazine has published an interesting article introducing westerners to the unusual new Japanese arcade game Boong-Ga Boong-Ga, in which players are encouraged to relieve stress by forcibly poking an imaginary person in the rear end.

Siena Heights University in Michigan is now offering a two-credit class on how religion and philosophy are part of popular culture. This in and of itself is not unusual. What is noteworthy is the fact that the class, Animated Philosophy and Religion, will be studying the presentation of religion in The Simpsons. Readings will include “The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer” by William Irwin, and “The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the Most Animated Family.” Clearly this course recognizes the regular satirical presentation of religion and questions of religious doctrine presented in The Simpsons, but the course is also another landmark in the increasing American acceptance of animation as more than mere children’s cartoons.

Source: CNN.com

Article provided by Darren Bills

Question:
Why is hentai/yaoi/yuri so popular now? Now all my friends (including myself) are into hentai and those things, but why are those types of anime so popular? And how come more around females?

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Shin’ichiro Kimura, the director of Hand Maid May, will direct the “pretty girls” fantasy/action TV series G-On Riders next spring.

Masami Shimoda, the director of Saber Marionette J, will direct the domestic comedy Ai Yori Aoshi for Pioneer next year.

Leiji Matsumoto will have two new TV series next year: Gun Frontier and a new Captain Harlock series.

Masami Obari will return to TV animation with his latest giant robot series, Chojushin Gravion.

The little known Earth Defense Family TV series from early 2000 will return next year with Chikyu Boei Kazoku 2. Likewise, the successful Star Ocean EX TV series will return in a second series in March titled Star Ocean to the Story.

Cyber Idol Mink and Tokyo Mew Mew will both leap from their manga published in Nakayoshi Magazine to their own anime TV series next year.

The Tenchi/Love Hina-esque Happy Lesson OAV series will spawn a 13 episode TV series in April.

Gonzo Studios will be producing the anime TV series adaptation of Shin Takahashi’s popular fantasy romance manga Saishuheiki Kanojo - The Last Love Song on This Little Planet.

Source: Anime News Network and Anime Diasuki

Leiji Matsumoto, creator of Yamato, Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 among other titles, was recently awarded the Japanese national Purple Ribbon Medal. Purple, Yellow and Blue Medal Ribbons are awarded twice a year to approximately 1,600 recipients. The Purple Ribbon Medal is awarded as recognition for excellence in scholarship or the arts. The Yellow Ribbon is awarded as recognition for excellence in business. The Blue Ribbon is awarded for excellence in education or public welfare.

Matsumoto follows in the footsteps of other influential manga artists to have received this national honor including Machiko Hasegawa (creator of Sazae-san), Fujio Akatsuka (creator of Tensai Bakabon), and Shoji Sadao (creator of early comedy manga including Salaryman Senka).

Source: Anihabara

Question:
Can you please explain to me what “dubtitles” are?

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